Answers in Genesis

Answers in Genesis (AiG) is one of the premiere creationist ministries in the United States dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith. The ministry focuses mainly on providing answers on creation and specifically the book of Genesis, which it sees as the most attacked and criticized book in the Bible. AiG actively trains Christians to defend their faith against evolutionary ideas. AiG views facts as information that must be interpreted, not information that speaks for itself.

“

We all deal with the same evidence (we all live on the same earth, have the same fossils, observe the same animals, etc.). The difference lies in how we interpret what we study.

”

AiG's US headquarters are in northern Kentucky, USA, at the site of its 60,000 square foot facility, which houses the Creation Museum and Family Discovery Center that officially opened Memorial Day 2007. The UK headquarters of AiG are located in Leicester, UK.

On 1 December 2010, AiG announced that they would partner with a private for-profit company to build Ark Encounter, "a full-scale Noah's Ark tourist attraction" to open in 2014 and include several other animal- and ancient-history-themed elements. Among these elements will be an aviary, a walled city, a replica Tower of Babel, a theater, and live animal shows.[1] After numerous delays for various permits, construction began in 2014, and official opening day of the attraction was 7 July 2016.[2]

Answers in Genesis quickly became one of the most influential names in Creation Science, helping ordinary Christians defend their faith, and answering questions from people who were interested in both the Bible and Creation Science.

Creation Museum

According to AiG, Ken Ham, AiG's president, had a vision for "a creation museum that teaches the truth" since 1979, when he began his ministry in Creation Science.[3] During the mid-1990s, after AiG was founded, the ministry began searching for land in Northern Kentucky to build the museum.[3] The Museum was opened on May 28, 2007[3] at the cost of $27 million.[4] $21 million of the cost was raised through private donations.[5]

It was estimated that 250,000 people would visit the museum in the first year.[4] However, the 250,000th visitor visited the museum in early November, nearly seven months ahead of schedule.[3][6]

The aesthetics of the museum have been praised even by critics of the museum.[4]

Ken Ham-Bill Nye debate

The Legacy Hall in the Creation Museum, where the debate between Ken Ham and Bill Nye took place.

On February 4, 2014, Ken Ham, the president of AiG, debated science "educator" and evolutionist Bill Nye at the Creation Museum.[7] The debate was the dominant trending topic on Twitter and Facebook and it was estimated that over 3 million people watched the debate live.[8] It was reported in the mainstream media that because of the debate, interest and support for the Ark Encounter, which had been struggling for funds, returned, and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014,[9] even though AiG has stated that this was not the case, as it was not reasonably possible to purchase a bond after the debate.[10]

Ark Encounter

After the completion and success of the Creation Museum, Ham and AiG started focusing on building the Ark Encounter, a life-sized replica of Noah's Ark.[3] The plans for constructing the Ark Encounter were announced by AiG, along with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear on December 1, 2010.[3]

During the construction of the Ark Encounter, AiG sued the state of Kentucky after officials blocked AiG from receiving a sales tax tourism incentive worth up to $18 million because AiG would use the Ark Encounter to share the gospel. On January 25, 2016, Federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ruled in AiG's favor, ruling that blocking the incentives from AiG was unconstitutional and violated their First Amendment protections.[11][12][13]

On July 7, 2016, the Ark Encounter was opened to the public in Williamstown, Kentucky.[14] The ark cost $100 million and is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, based on the dimensions given in the Bible.[15] The opening date, 7/7, was intentionally chosen to coincide with Genesis 7:7. The next day, Bill Nye visited the Ark Encounter upon invitation from Ham.[16]

Beliefs

As a Christian organization, AiG believes that salvation is obtained through faith in Christ alone, regardless of whether one believes in Creation or Evolution.[17] Despite this, AiG does believe that having a literal view of Genesis is important in understanding the Gospel and in having a high view of God and the Bible, among other reasons.[18]

AiG does not support mandating the teaching of creationism in public schools because "it would likely be taught poorly (and possibly mockingly) by a teacher who does not understand what the Bible teaches and who believes in evolution."[19] AiG does believe that both teachers and students "should have academic freedom to critically examine scientific facts and the worldviews by which they are interpreted."[20]

AiG does not support the intelligent design movement because although it affirms a creator of the universe, it does not challenge the theory of evolution and long ages and, more importantly, it does not specify who exactly the creator was and separates general revelation and special revelation from each other.[21]

Based on its belief in the Bible, citing verses such as Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, AiG believes homosexuality to be a sin.[22][23]

Outreach

Answers in Genesis publishes materials supporting young-earth creationism, and commissions individuals to speak in public and private venues (such as churches and schools) to teach and equip believers to support their faith in the Bible. Visit their website to learn about seminars and conferences scheduled to occur in your area, listen to radio broadcasts, watch online videos, and much more. National Religious Broadcasters awarded Answers in Genesis their Best Ministry Website award in 2006 and again in 2012.[24]

Magazine

Answers in Genesis often makes its points through the use of cartoons. Here AiG demonstrates the false conception that creationists and evolutionists have different evidence. We all live in the same world: interpretations vary because we have different worldviews.

Answers Magazine mainly deals with current events. Issues range from stem cell research to Planned Parenthood to evolution and interracial marriage. The magazine is full of easy-to-read articles and amazing pictures, as well as semi-technical articles, with professional illustrations. These include both creation and world view articles which leave it up to the reader to make a choice and decision about what to believe. The quarterly issues contain extras such as a tear-out magazine for kids, a pullout chart, a highlight covering animals, and more. Answers in Genesis claims that its main goal in this magazine is to equip the reader with sensible answers so that they can communicate the Gospel better and more clearly to those who support the idea of evolution.

Audio

Ken Ham is the primary teacher on the Answers Radio program, Answers... with Ken Ham. These programs are broadcast on many stations throughout the United States. Each radio segment runs about a minute and a half. Some titles include, "The culture war—and its surprising culprit," "Suffering and death—does God care?," and "Lessons on terrorism—in Genesis!" The subjects tend to relate to current events, problems that people face every day, evolution, and related issues. Answers Radio also produces mini-dramas on topics such as human cloning, abortion, adoption, and suicide.

The UK/Europe office also produces audio for online broadcast, released in two podcast series: Answers UK Radio and Answers UK Ministry.

Cartoons

AiG has created many cartoons that support creation. These cartoons can be used to give a simple explanation of creation to non-believers, help teachers with lessons, and at times poke fun at believers of evolution and remind them to check their work. The Answers in Genesis cartoon at the upper right is conveying the message that the battle over what happened isn't over different evidences, because everyone has the same evidence, or facts. It's just a matter of how one interprets those facts.

The primary speakers on the Answers videos include Ken Ham, Dr. David Menton, Dr. Jason Lisle, and Dr. Terry Mortenson. Many of these videos are available "on demand", and many more are available in the online store. The videos cover different aspects of the creationist world view, including many that refute the theory of evolution (giving explanations on their conclusions), as well as examining dinosaurs, promoting evangelism, and showing respect for human life. There is a teaching series, creation for kids, and much more. For example, The Hearing Ear "takes you on a journey into the marvelous intricacies of the human ear, which has the clear stamp of the Creator and leaves skeptics speechless."

Current Events

Answers in Genesis has an events calendar showing locations and dates of events across the United States. It hosts events overseas as well. Some of these include the NEA Convention Outreach. AiG forms a booth at the National Educators Association each year at its convention. There is also a College/youth Apologetics conference to help youth understand the world around them and equip them to stand up for what they know to be true, the Bible.

Officers

Ken Ham is the president/CEO of Answers in Genesis USA and is a well-known speaker and author on the subject of Young-Earth Creationism. He has a bachelor's degree in Applied Science from the Queensland Institute of Technology. He also has a Diploma of Education from the University of Queensland. He received two honorary doctorates: a Doctor of Divinity from Temple Baptist College, and a Doctor of Literature from Baptist Liberty University. Ham was a director for Creation Science Foundation (CSF) in Australia, which he founded with John Mackay. In 1987 he moved to the United States, maintaining his links with CSF. From 1987 to 1993, he worked for the Institute for Creation Research, and in 1994 started Answers in Genesis. Ham has published several books, including children's books. He is featured daily on a radio program entitled Answers...with Ken Ham, and has released a number of videos on the subject of creation vs. evolution.[25]

Speakers

Following is a list of scientists and laymen who regularly speak at AiG conferences and other speaking events.[26] All except three speakers listed in this table are employed full-time by AiG.

Facilities

AiG's U.S. headquarters are in northern Kentucky, USA, near Cincinnati, Ohio. Its 60,000 square foot facility also houses the Creation Museum and Family Discovery Center. You can take a virtual walk-through of the museum here, or take a tour here. AiG also provides a map and directions to the Creation Museum and AiG–USA headquarters. The museum complex houses the ministry offices, recording studio and resource distribution center. It has classrooms for use by school groups, pastors and others.